Philadelphia 76ers: Is a Ben Simmons-LeBron James trade be possible?

According to one report, the Philadelphia 76ers could be inclined to pursue LeBron James this summer.

Kawhi Leonard‘s heartbreaking shot rocketed the Philadelphia 76ers into a cloud of uncertainty. Brett Brown’s job future, free agency and the trade market all loom large for a team that was intent on getting past the second round.

The Sixers were more than competitive with Toronto and have the talent to run it back successfully. If Philadelphia can bring the same core pieces back, plus another years worth of experience, there’s reason to believe the outcome in 2020 would be different.

Even so, there’s a chance the Sixers go in a different direction. According to NBC Sports’ Tom Haberstroh, one league executive believes Sixers owner Joshua Harris “won’t be able to resist” a major shake-up this summer. Another executive pointed to a rather large name: LeBron James.

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It would take several factors working in unison to push LeBron to Philadelphia. First and foremost, the Lakers would need to establish an underlying idea that building a contender around James is impossible. He has two years left on his contract before another potential dive into free agency.

It would also take the Sixers committing to the win-now mode and permanently discarding long-term stability outside Joel Embiid. The cornerstone of a LeBron trade would likely be Ben Simmons, whose youth and upside could tantalize a Lakers team looking to reset.

There are some obvious complications regarding the Klutch Sports connection, but if the two sides agree on a deal, there’s nothing Rich Paul can physically do to stop it. That’s especially true if James is willing to go to battle outside Los Angeles.

Figuring out the financial details would also be a challenge. As Haberstroh points out, Simmons will make just $8.1 million next season. It would require a near-max level sign-and-trade with either Tobias Harris or Jimmy Butler to match James $37.1 million contract.

One would be hard-pressed to deny the intrigue of adding LeBron to Philadelphia’s roster. Most were pining for it last summer. But there’s an inherent risk in trading Simmons — a 22-year-old All-Star under team control — for a 34-year-old James.

It would be a shortsighted move, for better or worse. LeBron declined last season, but it was in part due to injury. An offseason of rehab and rest should help rectify things to some degree. He was also still dominant, averaging 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists on 51 percent shooting.

There are valid arguments on both sides, but it’s important to properly contextualize Simmons’ value. He’s 22, an All-Star, and one of the brightest young talents in the NBA. His jumper is an issue, but he’s also a potential All-Defense candidate who can playmake at a level few rookies ever have. His postseason numbers have been comparable to a young Magic Johnson.

Philadelphia would be justified in exploring a LeBron trade. He’s too good to overlook. He’s arguably the best player in the NBA at his peak. But when it comes down the weighing the pros and cons, there’s considerable baggage that comes with appeasing LeBron James. And his age, plus inevitable decline, put him on a more immediate timeline than Embiid, though the Sixers aren’t necessarily concerned with that.

Next. Brett Brown garners universal praise at exit interviews. dark

In the end, Philadelphia should expect Ben Simmons back next season. The circumstances under which this trade would occur are very slim in possibility. There’s too much pulling LeBron toward L.A. and too much holding Ben in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia 76ers: Could a Ben Simmons-LeBron James trade be on the table?

By Christopher Kline | May 13, 2019

According to one report, the Philadelphia 76ers could be inclined to pursue LeBron James this summer.